Daryl Leininger

Daryl Carl Leininger, age 78, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Pastor Ken Bowman officiating.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Daryl's grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers will be the loving, caring staff of the Traverse Care Center and Kathi Kremer.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 30th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Daryl was born on October 9, 1938 to Carl Henry Leininger and Evelyn Leon (Gauger) Leininger. He was baptized on November 21, 1938 and confirmed on June 1, 1952.

Daryl grew up on a farm in Walls Township and attended school through the eighth grade at District 42. Some years he was the only boy in school. When he was a freshman he went to West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota where he graduated in 1956. He joined the Army Reserves and spent six months at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his accident he received an honorable discharge.

In July of 1959 Daryl was hurt in a combine accident after which his leg was amputated below the knee. He received his first prosthesis in November of that year.

On May 28, 1960 Daryl was united in marriage to Judith (Judy) Gale Norton. They made their home in Walls Township where they raised their three children: Kevin Daryl, Jodi Lynn and Kyle Jay. In 1996 they built a new home in Wheaton.

Despite an artificial leg and back surgery, Daryl was a successful farmer. He also suffered a small stroke in 2006 which left him with health issues.

Daryl served on the Walls Township Board for thirty years. He was the secretary of the Traverse County Township Association until he moved to town. Daryl also served on the Traverse Co-op Board for many years and was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed spending winters in Arizona with friends and his card playing buddies. Daryl was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan.

Daryl's life ended on May 27, 2017 (one day before his 57th wedding anniversary), while a resident of the Traverse Care Center for more than one year.

Daryl leaves his wife Judy to miss him and his three children: Kevin Leininger of Wheaton; Jodi (Greg) Johnson of Rosholt, South Dakota; and Kyle (Sara) Leininger of Mason City, Iowa; grandchildren: Wyatt and Marshall Leininger, Bailey and Dakota Andrews, Logan and Brandon Johnson, Jace and Paige Leininger; two sisters: Marlene (Loyal) Larsen of Underwood, Minnesota; and Fay (Allen) Herzog of Shakopee, Minnesota; one brother David Leininger and friend Deb of Wheaton; one sister-in-law Diana Norton of Hinckley, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, special friends and neighbors.

Daryl was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Evelyn; and his brother-in-law Darrell Norton.